Pole truck



Nov. l5, 1927.

H. R. TRAPHAGEN POLE TRUCK 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 9. 1926 @y @WW 5f M9 Nov. 15, 1927.

- H. R. TRAPHAGEN POLE TRUCK Patented Nov. 15, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT" OFFICE.

HARRY B. TRAPHAGEN, F ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR T0 EMERSQN-BRANTI'NG" i HAM`CORPORATION,`OF ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS, ,A CORPORATION OIF ILLINOIS.

roLn TRUCK.

Application filed January This invention relates to farm implements generally Iand more particularly to improve ments in pole or tongue trucks such as are used on cultivators, mowers, and other implements. f

`The principal object lof the invention is to provide a pole truck enabling quick turns without discomfort to the horses due to a sawing or whipping action of the pole or loecause of they implement running against the flanks of the horses.

According to the present invention, I pro- Vide a pole truck avoiding neck weight on the horses and keeping the pole at the proper height which has a steering connection with the pole for turning the truck wheels faster than the pole thus making square turns possible and enahling'accurate reversing of the implement from one course to the next adjacentreturn course by the pivoting of the implement on one of its wheels, as in the case of two-row cultivators, for example.

A further object of the invention is to provide a pole truck whichV may be Connected with the pole in either of two `fashions to operate as a free caster or have a .differential steering connection with the pole to be turned faster than the pole.

The invention is pointed out more fully in the following specific-ation wherein reference is made to the .accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of an implement such as a two-row cultivator equipped Ywith my improved `pole truck showing how the implementmay be pivoted on one of its wheels at the end of one course in reversing the implement to return on the next course while maintaining the proper relationship with the two courses;

Fi 2 is a side view of the pole truck, portions of which are broken away more clearly to illustrate the features thereof;

Fig. 3 is a front view of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section on the line 4 4 of Fig. 2 showing the steering connection for the pole truck in plan; f

Fig. 5 is a similar section taken on the line 5 5 of Fig. 2; i

Fig. Slis a side view of the steering connection with the parts altered from the relationship shown in Figs. 2 to 5 toV enable the wheels to caster; and

Fig.. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 4 showing an alternative formof steering connection.

9, 1926. serial no.l 80,252.

Throughout the views similar reference numerals are applied to Corresponding parts.

My invention is at presentshown ein? bodied in a two-row cultivator having the main steering and carrying wheels 10 on a main frame 11. A pole truck frame 12 extends forwardly from the frame 11 over a. pivot wheel pole truck, designated generally by thenumcral 13, having connection with a steering pole 14. It will be apparent that the pole 14 in certain implements might be made to serve for draft purposes. A single pole is shown in the present case although in cultivators of this kind it is also customary to use double poles. It will `also be remarked that a pair of wheels 15 are shown employed on the pole truck 13. In some cases,only a single wheel is used. An evener bar 16 is pivotally mounted in the `frame 12 and carries double-trees 17 at opposite ends on either' side of the pole 14. The matter thus far described is more or less completely shown yin my copending"application, Serial No. 14,895 filed March 12, 1925. My improved pole truck to whichthepresent Case relates in particular appears inthe said application and is therein referred to.

The pole truck 13 comprises a front casing providing a sleeve 18 for the upright axle 19 of the pole truck and diverging arms 20 bolted asshown to the pole truck :frame 12. A crank arm 21 iskeyed and bolt-ed to the upright axle 19 and alouts against the lower end of the sleeve 18, as shown. A cotter pin 22 and washer are provided at the upper end of the axle 19 to hold the parts together. A yoke 23 generally of elliptical ,or oval form surrounds the sleeve 18 and has trunnions 24 at diametrically opposite sides thereof on its major axis having pivotal connection with brackets 25 bolted to the end of the polel 14. Theyoke 23 is pivoted, as by means of afbolt 26 on an offset provided by an arm 27 rigid with and extending from the forward side of the sleeve 18. The 'pivotal connection at26, as shown in Figs. 4M and 5, is approximately midway between the trunnions 24 on the minor` axis ofthe yoke 23. At thediametrically opposite side of the yoke from the pivotal connection 26.v the yoke is slotted as shown at. 28 to receive a bolt 29 for attaching the yoke either to the outer ends. of the crank arm 21 or tp the outer end of afrigid arm 8O forming a'nintegral offset on the sleeve 18 opposite the' arm 27, previously mentioned. In Figs. 2 to pthe `yoke is shown connected with the crank arm 21 while in Fig. (i it is shown conneeted rigidly with. the arm 30. In the latter case` it will be apparent that the crank arm 21 is perfectly iree with the axle 19 so that the wheels 15 are tree to caster. The pole 1Ll with the yoke 23 is rigid with the frame 12 by virtue oit the bolt connections at 2G and 29. A pair ot upstanding lugs 31 are provided onthe yoke `23 to embrace the opposite sides of `the arm 30 and positively locate, the yoke in relation thereto while avoiding any, shear on the bolt 29. The castering aetionis facilitated by the tact that the cross axle 321cm' the wheels 15` is offset rearwardly `from the upright axle 19. A sleeve 83 receiving' the axle 32 has a. bearingr 34 at its mid point at rig-ht angles thereto receiving the offset lower end 35 of the axle 19. `A Cotter pin 3G and washer assembleV the sleeve 33 by its bearing' Sel `on the lower end ofthe axle 19. `The wheels ,lf'with the axle 32are free to rock or oseillate laterallyr a limited amount determined by a pair ol. lues 37 provided on a head 38 at thetorward end of `the bearing 341 at either eide oi the axle 19. This permits the wheels to roll smoothly and easily with all ground conditions and avoids side draft.`

The steering connection for the pole 14. with the axle 19 through the medium of the yoke 23 arranges the pivotal connection of the pole with the implementeccentric with respect to thepivotal connection of the axle 19 with `the implement. In other words, the pivot point v26 is olf center relative to the axlei19, as will be evident particularly in F ige. 4 and 5. By virtue of this arrangement. the truck wheels are swung through a greater angle for a given angular movement of the pole, that is, they turn` faster than the pole and facilitate quick turning. The maneuvering,r of the implement which is made possible with the present improvements diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 1. When the pole is straight' forward, the wheels 15 are, of course, in trailing relation and aligned therewith, but the moment the pole is swung to either side in turning the implement about the truck wheels areswung faster, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 1, and a sharp turn is possible `without anynecessity for backing thehorses against the imple-` ment. It will be noted that the evener 16 remains clear of the main wheels when the pole truck is swung to the limit ot its movement. In that event,` the wheels of the pole truck move in arcs with one of the main wheels 10 as a center. Thus, on the arrival ot the implement at the end `ofthe `lows designated A. the implement mav lne-turned about for the return coursealonfr therows B and in makinar theturn whichever wheel is between the old rows and the fresh rowswill act as a pivot and will not turn but swing about on a vertical axis. The swinging` ot the pole truck relative to the frame is limited by the ends of the-yoke 23 adjacent the trunnions 24: coming into contact with" the sleeve 18 in an obvious manner as the yoke swings about the pivot point 26. The obvious advantages in the use of the present invention are that the pole is always `kept at the proper height and there is absolutely no whipping or sawf ing on .thehorse, necks `in the maneuvering ot the implement and neck weight is eliminated.- i i i In the alternative structure shown in Fig. 7, the crank arm 21 is replaced by a gear sector il1 meshing on aninternal rack 112 provided in the yoke 23. `The gear 41, as indicatedyis keyed and suitably tired on the axle 19 and in the swinging of the yoke 23 about the pivot 26,` the` axle 19 is moved through a greater angle for a given angular movement ot' the yoke and hence of the pole 14 to which .it `is connected. The eccentric relationship of the pivotal connections 19 and 26 is main-` tained `in this alternative construction and substantially the same operation is secured. Obviously the gear sector ,l1 may if desired be arranged by a splined connection with the axle 19 to be moved out of meshingr euaae'ement with the rack 412 to provide for the eastering ofA thettruok wheels and in that event a similar rigid connection of the yoke 23' with the pole truck frame 12 may be provided if desired; y

Itis believed that the foregoing conveys a. clear anderstandinnr of the objectspretaced above, it being noted however, that the narticular construction `disclosed herein is for illustrative purpose merely, and that changes might be made in the construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

I claim: y

`l. A structure as set `torth in claim 2 wherein one of the two last mentioned connections is a sliding pivotalconnection.

`2. Ina wheeled implement. the combination of a pivoted steering.;r wheel truck pivot` ed thereto at a certain point, a pole element pivotallv connected to the implement eccentric to the first pivot point, and a, crank for conineetiunr said truckand pole havingapiw otal connectioawith the pole ata point also eccentric to the first pivot but on the diametrically opposite side from the `second pivot point. i i i i y 3. In a wheeled implementpthe combination of a pole truck trame. an upright axle pivoted therein, and having an operating crank, a steering pole pivoted on said frame eccentrically relative to said axle means for alternatively pivotally connectingr said pole with said axle operating crank for quickened steering or rigidly connecting the same with said frame so as to leave the axle free, and av steering wheel carried by said axle and arranged to caster with the axle when the pole is fastened rigidly to the frame. n

4. In a wheeled implement, the combination of a polel truck frame, an upright axle pivoted therein and having an operating crank, a steering pole pivoted on said frame eccentrically relative to said axle, asingle yoke part arranged for alternatively pivot ally connecting said pole with said axle operating crank in a sliding pivotal connection or rigidly connecting the same with said frame, and awheel carried by said axle and arranged to serve as a steering wheel when the yoke is connected with the axle crank and as a caster wheel otherwise.

5. In a wheeled implement, the combination of a pole truck frame, an upright axle pivoted therein, a steering pole, a cross axle offset relative to said upright axle and pivotally mounted thereon for lateral oscillation with respect thereto having a pair of steering wheels thereon, and means oscillating with said cross axle and arranged for engagement with either side of the upright axle for limiting the lateral oscillation of` said cross axle with respect to said upright axle.

6. In a wheeled implement, a. pole truck frame, a steering pole, an upright axle pivoted in said frame, said axle having a horizontal rearwardly directed portion, a cross axle bearing a pair of steering wheels, and a support for said cross .axle having a bearing portion at right angles thereto for receiving the horizontal portion of said up right axle to provide for lateral oscillation of said cross axle.

7. In a wheeled implement, an upright axle pivoted thereto, a steering pole having a pivotal connection with` said implement at a pointotlset in one direction 'from the first mentioned pivot, and a pivotal connection between said axle and said pole oii'set in the opposite direction fromthe `first pivot.

8. In` a wheeled implement, a pole truck frame having an axle bearing sleeve thereon, an upright axle received in said sleeve bearing a steering wheel, said sleeve having a pair of arms rigid therewith extending forwardly 'and rearwardly therefrom. a steering pole for said implement, a. yoke having connection with said pole and pivotally mounted on one of said arms, and aI crank arm on said upright axle having connection with said yoke adjacent the other of said arms, said connection being detachable at said crank arm to permit the rigid attachment of said yoke with said last mentioned arm. f

9. In a wheeled implement, a pole truck frame having an axle bearing sleeve thereon, an upright axle received in said sleeve bean ing Aa steering wheel, said sleeve having an arm extending therefrom to provide an offset pivot point, a yoke extending about said sleeve pivotally connected with said arm at said point, a steering pole having connection with said yoke, and a. crank arm on said upright axle offset in the opposite direction from said first mentioned arm and having connection with said yoke.

`l0. In a. wheeled implement, a pole truck frame, a steering pole having pivotal connection therewith, a pivoted steering wheel eccentric-ally arranged withi respect to said first pivot, and means for connecting said steering wheel and pole to swing together with the steering wheel swinging through a greater angle for a given-angular movement of said pole, said means serving to limit the swinging movement of said pole and wheel relative to the frame.

1l. In an implement having a pair of laterally spaced main wheels and a forward centrally arranged pole truck wheel, a steering pole pivotally connected with said implement, and means providing a steering connection between said truck wheel and said pole whereby the former swings faster than the latter and whereby the swinging movement of the former with the latter is limited to` such a degree that said pole truck wheel at the limit of its movement is arranged to move about either one of said main wheels as a center.

l2. In an implement .having a. pair of laterally spaced main wheels and a forward centrally arranged pole truck wheel, a steering pole pivotally connected with said im.- plement, and means providing a steering connection between said truck wheel and said pole whereby the former swings faster than the latter and whereby the swinging movement of the former with the latter is limited, said means providing for the detachability of said pole truck wheel from steering connection with said pole to operate as a caster.-

In witness of the foregoing I affix my signature.

HARRY R. TRAPHAGEN.

Aci

CERTIFICATE 0F CORRECTION.

Patent No. 1,649, 757. Granted November 15, 1927, to

HARRY R. TRAPHAGEN.

It ie hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 2, line 114, claim 2, strike out the word "pivoted"; page 3, lines l() and ll, ciaim 4, strike out the Word "pivotaily"; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the reeord o the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 27th day of Deeember7 A. il. i927,

M. J. Moore, Seal. Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

